Interested in your post about Mallacoota - ended up there sort of by accident and seriously liked the place - a paddock full of kangaroos outside our cabin window 50m from the main street! (well, it was winter and things were quiet).

Wife and I were wondering if you would thought it would stand a couple of weeks with AI's in summer (avoiding school hols).

Also if you had a recommended place to stay? - If you get this maybe pm me on arathorn357 at gmail.com best, Andrew

Hi guys. Just back from Asia to find this post. Mallacoota, Cape Conran and just about all of East Gippsland is just perfect for AI exploring and sailing with it huge expanse of inland lakes, waterways and rivers. We should get together down here some time. I do not have any preferences for accommodation just yet but that will not be difficult to find something appropriate...Pirate

FWIW, I use PowerDirector, bought it on eBay for not much. Found it easy to get the basics, and their forums are very helpful. That said, it still takes me hours to trim down a 1-2 hour vid to 4-8 minutes with a sound track for YouTube. But it's fun!

Thanks Bob....I am looking forward to getting the AI onto the water soon and wash off all the cobwebs that must have grown. 1st Spring today so our days are lengthening again with Summer's warm rays not far away now.... Has there been any reports of pins breaking in my absence?..LOL....Pirate

FWIW, I use PowerDirector, bought it on eBay for not much. Found it easy to get the basics, and their forums are very helpful. That said, it still takes me hours to trim down a 1-2 hour vid to 4-8 minutes with a sound track for YouTube. But it's fun!

Thanks for the comment and advice Max. Your video is a great representation of getting around on the tandem and very professionally produced...Pirate

And were you experiencing weather helm at the time you say you should have reefed Bob?...Pirate

Of course, but I was trying to push my boat, to get setup for a good camera shot. When it happened, I just smiled and decided it had "got" me!

Tried 4 times to replace it, but in too big of wind waves for a bit.

First time, even with the sail completely rolled up, I started surfing a nice 5' wind wave while laying across the back, so I bungeed the rudder and crawled back, while surfing.

Second try, I saw a hungry wave heading right for me (white caps)! Crawled back and paddled/pedaled out of the way.

Third try, I just started turning around to go back there, and the boat took off on another nice wave.

Finally, I waited 10 min. to clear the worse (or best! ) of the wind and waves, and had it changed in 10 seconds! I like that the gray pins don't seem to bend up when they let go (at lease that time) so there was nothing to clear, just push the new pin in.

Have you caught up with your reading to see that Hobie AI 2011 will have the TI's rudder and mounting bracket.

And were you experiencing weather helm at the time you say you should have reefed Bob?...Pirate

Of course, but I was trying to push my boat, to get setup for a good camera shot. When it happened, I just smiled and decided it had "got" me!

Tried 4 times to replace it, but in too big of wind waves for a bit.

First time, even with the sail completely rolled up, I started surfing a nice 5' wind wave while laying across the back, so I bungeed the rudder and crawled back, while surfing.

Second try, I saw a hungry wave heading right for me (white caps)! Crawled back and paddled/pedaled out of the way.

Third try, I just started turning around to go back there, and the boat took off on another nice wave.

Finally, I waited 10 min. to clear the worse (or best! ) of the wind and waves, and had it changed in 10 seconds! I like that the gray pins don't seem to bend up when they let go (at lease that time) so there was nothing to clear, just push the new pin in.

Have you caught up with your reading to see that Hobie AI 2011 will have the TI's rudder and mounting bracket.

I am sure that if anyone has to be caught out in those waves without a rudder Bob, you are the most experienced man for the job .NO....but sounds like I will have to do a search for that. I am assuming here Hobie has does something about improving the AI system that has come under a fair bit of criticism on this forum. Does that mean Hobie will retrofit them to our existing 'less than perfect' rudder systems?..Pirate

So the AI rudder was dangling in the water at first? Both sides of the pin failed?

I keep a small tube of white lithium grease in the center hatch with a few spare pins. A little dab on half the pin will make the insertion a breeze. Every little bit helps when you are rocking in 4-6 ft seas.

Didya break a TI pin yet? Has anyone? (Or do all the other parts go first??)